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I'm wondering how the "competitive" meter works, or what is the basis of that percentage. One of my decks, Windgrace's Litter Box, shows that it is 96% competitive, but I'm not really sure it's all that competitive.

Does anyone know what the competitive meter is based off of, or what it really means?

Also, sorry I was unsure of where I should post this question in the forum!

the meter is more a rough estimate tool than anything, more useful as a way to bring a playgroup's deck's power levels within the same zip code (not really the same ballpark, throwing in the Commanders by Power Level [EDH Tier List] might bring it closer by settling on the same tier level) for an enjoyable game rather than expecting a fair game in a cedh queue. I wouldn't be surprised if somewhere on this site there's an explanation on how the meter works, but I imagine it's mostly just checking average cmc and how many playsets there are along with land count % = 40%

October 30, 2018
7:30 a.m.

My understanding is the competitive metre looks at the frequency a given is played in a the format for that particular deck. Using that frequency, the metre calculates the deck percentage, though the actual formula is unknown, and other factors might also be considered. There has been some posturing that the price and frequency of a specific printing might be factors - in the early days of the metre, someone was able to get their deck to jump twenty points by merely changing all the cards to foils (though, I have not tested this recently).

One factor that is not considered is land percentage, as Demarge opined. To show the futility of relying on the competitive metre, there have been several completely unplayable decks made with either no lands or only using lands that couldn’t cast the remainder of the deck.

Overall, the metre can be a nifty tool, so long as you do not give it too much heed. There are tier one competitive decks that fall short of 100%, and janky decks, such as my 250 card Battle of Wits deck, that somehow hit 100%. I recommend treating it as a reference, and a mediocre one at that.

October 30, 2018
9:10 a.m.

Thanks for the excellent answers! cdkime, I almost want to just make up pretend decks to see what the meter does! Demarge, I tried to search through the forums, and the help area, but didn't have much luck. According to that list, I should have just kept Gitrog as my commander! generalrenard, I agree that the deck does not seem to fall into the "competitive" category, not like the Captain Sisay deck I regularly play against! That's why the meter seemed a little odd to me. I also have a tribal spirits EDH deck that I think falls in the 80% range on the meter. It doesn't make any sense XD

October 30, 2018
6:58 p.m.

For EDH I regard it as more of an "optimal card meter", meaning that it seems to check whether the cards you have are the most efficient at doing that thing in that colour. The important part to realise is that doing so just means your particular deck is the most streamlined it can be, but not necessarily competitive when compared to other decks. I've got a Kaalia one that is 100% because nearly all the cards are bombs, but there is is no way in hell I'd have a chance playing in a cEDH pod because I'm can only ever be a threat by turn three (as opposed to THREATENING TO WIN). Also I don't think the meter registers combo interactions, so if your win con is made up of three random cards no-one pays normally they'll be treated as chaff.

October 31, 2018
3:27 a.m.

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